Christmas Eve musings of a newly minted codger.

[beach elvis]

First off, a heartfelt wish of a Merry Christmas to all of ya.
This forum has meant so much to me, for so many reasons, for years even before I became a member. Did a lot of lurking before that. Still do.

It's just a little after 7AM on my 57th Christmas Eve. Cup of coffee, alone in the quiet of my kitchen, sitting in what's left of my rocking chair. (Beware of 7-month old Rottweilers when they're teething.) She's napping in her bed under my table right now while my 10-year old German Shepherd does the same, right next to my chair.

This house is actually the one I grew up in.
So LOTS of Christmas memories.
A by-product of those memories this morning has been a dreaded older-guy-looking-back-on-his-life attack. Haha

Just wondering if you guys ever have those moments too, picturing past events, piecing them together, and noticing the part they played in how you've wound up who and where you are today. I can honestly say that with copious amounts of hard work, loving lifelong dedication to my chosen…er…some folks would call being a musician a skill, others would call it a hobby, both are right IMO…along with a massive amount of luck, I'm sincerely grateful for my current lot in life and I hope you all are with yours, as well.

PSHEW! So much water has flowed under my bridge.

Anyway, Merry Christmas, you guys.
Thank you all for your presence here.

 

[Lonegle57]

Have often thought about the path I have walked called life. I sat down and sent my wife's biological father a Christmas card once to thank him for the man he was and is. He left my wife, her sister's and mother in New Mexico
to come back to Georgia to live with my mother-in-laws best friend. My wife finally broke the communication chain years ago.
Through the walk have had to jump, walk around and sometimes swim through mud puddles. Wouldn't change one because they are part of the reason I am who I am and where I am at today. Now married to the most awesome woman I know and loving life. Learned the only person I can change is myself and have no control over the choices of others.
enjoy the day and have a Merry Christmas

 

[Onomea]

Nice reflective post, Beach Elvis.

I think all of us wonder at times, "How the heck did I wind up here?!" I know I do. But then reflecting on the twists and turns and drops and peaks of life's roller coaster, it all sorta makes sense.

In our senior years, if we are fortunate, as I am, the roller coaster has leveled out and is sorta on a gentle, pleasant downward cruise.

Life is good, but, boy, I often think: That was one fast ride!

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

72, robust health, I note I haven't climbed the heights I thought I would but I haven't sunk to any depths. My biggest disappointments in life-I think of the people I wish I'd known.

 

[billwill]

Life has been interesting for sure. But just think what a glorious day tomorrow is! That will always get you thru.

 

[dave1918a2]

Actually at 57 You're to young for Codgerville. Lets call it Pre-Codgerville. Many lessons learned on the road through life and still learning. Many wishes for a Merry Christmas to all Forum Members from Curmudgeon Ville.

 

[Mule Packer]

Yeah, I look back on my life occasionally an think "what if," but that's past. Can't do one darn thing about it. Sure I made some dumb mistakes...we all do. But, the nice thing about today and tomorrow is that I have a clean slate and can make of it what I wish. So, I guess the only thing I can do is give it my best shot.

I love the quote from that turtle guy in Kung Fu Panda:

"Tomorrow is a mystery, yesterday is history, and today is a gift. That is why they call it the present."​

Have a great day!

 

[bigmtnman]

Merry Christmas to you also. You have begun your journey into "codgernous".... Welcome . But if codgernous was a Boy Scout rank, you would be a tenderfoot. You will have many more musings, "senior moments", and revelations to come on your journey to "full" codgernous. My "fullness" arrived the morning of May 3rd this year --

http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge...ss-arrived-morning.html?649829=#post141143549

 

[Rustyt1953]

I used to have a readily accessible catalog of memories.

Chemo rearranged them.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I seem to have more and more of those "reflective" moments lately.

Behind my usual reading chair sits a photo of my grandmother at age 19, probably in the contemporary frame of the day (1912). We grandkids called her Mamo.

I look at the photo often, and just a few days ago I wondered why I put it where it did, then the logic struck me: Mamo always had my back.

 

[tops]

But you didn't drown. Larry

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have out lived about half of my High School class at this point. I also realize I outlived a number of friends, I've been saying goodbye to them for about 30-35 years.

And I thought there wasn't anything I could do about it. Then my best friend for the last 54 years, came up to me after one of the Memorial services and said: I'm getting tired of these services, so you take better care of yourself! So that's what the plan is. Do what it takes to avoid your own memorial service! I'll catch up to my departed friends later!

Ivan

 

[tops]

Do what it takes to avoid your own memorial service!

Ivan

I had an Aunt that lived to 100. She said all you had to do was just keep getting up every morning. Larry

 

[Golddollar]

I think all of us wonder at times, "How the heck did I wind up here?!" I know I do. But then reflecting on the twists and turns and drops and peaks of life's roller coaster, it all sorta makes sense.

My brother and I were just talking about how some of my life events tied together. Six years ago I was working at a job that required a 90 mile round trip commute. Part of it was on the Baltimore Beltway, which was nerve wracking and dangerous. And then one day the bosses called me in and told me that I was going to get what I generously call an "unfavorable re-assignment" on my job.

Why is this significant? I could have just kept be-bopping along risking my neck on the freeway each day for diminished benefits. But instead I got the mental kick in the pants I needed to sit down with pencil and paper and really assess my situation. What hit me between the eyes is when I calculated what I would put in my pocket if I kept working under the "unfavorable re-assignment" compared to what I would put in my pocket if I retired. The difference was $20 a month more if I kept working. Retirement was a no-brainer.

What was the net result of giving up that additional $20 a month? No more exposing myself to that commute. I got to take the time to take care of myself, which was vital because I had medical opinion that if I hadn't retired I could have been dead by now. And my doctor is happy with my outlook on life and happy demeanor.

That's how I ended up here.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Good post here.

 

[snubbyfan]

This is my 59th trip around the sun this year.
On may 21, 2000, I met a woman who would become my wife.
This is us at a wedding reception shortly after we met.


Before that my idea of a long relationship was maybe 2 weeks.
2022 is coming, we're still together and we've been married since April 21 2006.


Over the last year, my wife has had a very painful wisdom tooth pulled then on April 1 was diagnosed with breast cancer.
We did get a chance to take a trip to Newport News and stay with a friend for a coupla days.


We did havta keep her in the shade.


Of course I had to smoke a cigar on the beach.


Now she's done with the chemo and radiation treatments and our winter project is to correct the damage caused my the events of the past year.
She has arthritis in her right shoulder and that's been worked on with physical therapy and a cortisone shot.
Next up is to correct her cataracts. She's legally blind in her right eye and can't see out her left eye.
Been quite a year....

 

[robvious]

reflection & introspection are a great way to spend a little time throughout each year.. I always find everything in my life leading up to this point has made me.. well me.. and I have almost always liked me.. so cheers to tomorrow and where it takes me.

 

[tops]

I think back on things and see that not getting some things that I wanted when younger were really a blessing in disguise. Some things that I thought were bad when younger have helped make me stronger and smarter. Take it all the way around I have had a Blessed life. Larry

 

[dodgeit]

Working on year 62. the biggest regret is not spending more time with family. They are scattered across the US. The closest is 6 hours, down the craziness called I-95. The farthest is in OK. My younger brother recently passed, No funeral, so no trip. His widow came up for Christmas eve with us and then went on to her family. It was a great time spent in reflection, and learning a great deal about my brother for the past year of his life.

Cherish the family you have, as you never know when you won't have them.

Merry Christmas everyone, and Happy New Year.

 

[Maddog 521]

I have had several lonely isolated Christmas' and I seem to remember them clearly. I think it's a way to remember what not to do on this holiday. The last 2 days around have been filled with my wife G, twin daughters, a granddaughter her daughter and my sister. G and I put away all of the trimmings, extra dishes and the other special things that we only see on holidays. It's quiet now and we are enjoying that solitude. We do look forward to the upcoming gatherings. Enjoy every minute you can.